Archbishop of Caracas submits resignation upon reaching 75th birthday

Cardinal Urosa is one of the leading Church figures in crisis-hit Venezuela

Archbishop of Caracas Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino has submitted his resignation upon reaching 75 years of age.

The cardinal, who is one of the leading Church figures in the crisis-hit nation of Venezuela, celebrated his 75th birthday on Monday 28 August. Under canon law, bishops must submit their resignations to the Pope once they reach 75, however the Pope may choose to let them stay on.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Caracas said the cardinal’s resignation was “normal and obligatory”, adding that he will “continue in his post with all its attributes, duties and rights” until “the Holy Father decides otherwise”.

Cardinal Urosa has been a vocal critic of the regime of Nicolás Maduro, saying the “repression” exercised by the Venezuelan government “has been increasingly cruel”.